Display module, display device and touch failure detection method

Abstract

The application relates to a display module, a display device and a touch fault detection method. The display module comprises a display panel, a substrate and a driving circuit layer, a light-emitting layer and a touch layer. The driving circuit layer comprises a first wire, the touch layer comprises a second wire, a first display binding terminal is connected with the first wire, and a first touch binding terminal is connected with the second wire. A flexible circuit board comprises a body part, a second display binding terminal, a second touch binding terminal and a control wire. The second display binding terminal is bound with the first display binding terminal, and the second touch binding terminal is bound with the first touch binding terminal. A plurality of test terminals are arranged on at least one of the flexible circuit board and the display panel, the test terminals are connected with the second wire, the test terminals have test connection surfaces, and the area of the test connection surfaces is smaller than the area of the contact between the first touch binding terminal and the second touch binding terminal. The application is beneficial to the troubleshooting of a touch fault area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a display module, a display device, and a touch fault detection method. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of display module technology, with the continuous development of display technology, display modules with integrated touch functions are widely used in various electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and smart wearable devices. The stability and reliability of touch functions are crucial to user experience; therefore, rigorous image quality and functional testing are required at each stage of the display module screen's production.

[0003] Screen functionality testing is a key indicator for evaluating screen quality. A comprehensive and meticulous testing process allows for the selection of products that meet quality standards, ensuring that display modules entering the market possess excellent performance. Touch functionality testing is an indispensable and crucial part of the entire testing system. It is typically conducted after the finished product is completed and is also an important reliability test item. Touch functionality testing effectively verifies the product's touch response capabilities during actual use, ensuring users can perform touch operations smoothly.

[0004] However, current touch testing technology has obvious limitations. It can generally only be tested after the module is assembled into a finished product, which is not conducive to the troubleshooting of faulty areas. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a display module, a display device, and a touch fault detection method. The display module facilitates the troubleshooting of touch fault areas.

[0006] On one hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a display module is provided, comprising: a display panel having a display area and a non-display area, the display panel including a substrate and a driving circuit layer, a light-emitting layer and a touch layer distributed along the thickness direction of the substrate, the driving circuit layer including a driving circuit and a first trace connected to the driving circuit, the touch layer including a touch electrode and a second trace connected to the touch electrode, the substrate having a first bonding area and a second bonding area in the non-display area, a plurality of first display bonding terminals being disposed in the first bonding area, a plurality of first touch bonding terminals being disposed in the second bonding area, the first display bonding terminals being connected to the first trace, and the first touch bonding terminals being connected to the second trace; flexible The circuit board includes a main body and a plurality of second display bonding terminals, a plurality of second touch bonding terminals, and control traces disposed on the main body. Each second display bonding terminal is bonded to one of the first display bonding terminals, and each second touch bonding terminal is bonded to one of the first touch bonding terminals. The second touch bonding terminals are connected to a control chip through the control traces. At least one of the flexible circuit board and the display panel is further provided with a plurality of test terminals. Each test terminal is connected to one of the second traces, and each test terminal has a test connection surface. The area of ​​the test connection surface is smaller than the area of ​​the first touch bonding terminal and the second touch bonding terminal bonded together.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of first display bonding terminals are arranged at intervals and side by side along a first direction, and a second bonding area is provided on both sides of the first bonding area in the first direction. Each second bonding area is provided with a plurality of first touch bonding terminals, and a test terminal is provided for each first touch bonding terminal.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the test terminal is disposed on the same layer as the first touch-binding terminal or the second touch-binding terminal.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of test terminals are provided on the display panel, the plurality of test terminals are arranged side by side in a first direction, a plurality of first touch binding terminals and a first display binding terminal are arranged side by side in the first direction, the test terminals are arranged one-to-one with the first touch binding terminals in a second direction, each first touch binding terminal is connected to a second trace through a test terminal arranged opposite to it, and the first direction and the second direction are intersecting.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the projected area of ​​the test terminal on the substrate is smaller than the projected area of ​​the first touch bonding terminal on the substrate.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, along a first direction, the distance between two adjacent test terminals is d1, and the distance between two adjacent first touch binding terminals is d2, where d1 = d2.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, along a first direction, the width of the test terminal is equal to the width of the first touch-binding terminal, and along a second direction, the length of the test terminal is less than the length of the first touch-binding terminal.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, the width of the test terminal along the first direction is equal to its length along the second direction.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, the test terminal has a square projection on the substrate, and the first touch bonding terminal has a rectangular projection on the substrate.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, a flexible circuit board is provided with test terminals, a plurality of test terminals are arranged side by side in a first direction, a plurality of second touch bonding terminals and a second display bonding terminal are arranged side by side in the first direction, and the test terminals are arranged one-to-one with the second touch bonding terminals in a second direction. Each second touch bonding terminal is connected to a control line through a test terminal arranged opposite to it, and the first direction and the second direction are arranged to intersect.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, the projected area of ​​the test terminal on the body is smaller than the projected area of ​​the second touch bonding terminal on the substrate.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, along a first direction, the distance between two adjacent test terminals is d1, and the distance between two adjacent second touch binding terminals is d3, where d1 = d3;

[0019] According to one aspect of the present invention, along a first direction, the width of the test terminal is equal to the width of the second touch-binding terminal, and along a second direction, the length of the test terminal is less than the length of the second touch-binding terminal.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, the width of the test terminal along the first direction is equal to its length along the second direction.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, the orthographic projection of the test terminal on the body is square, and the orthographic projection of the second touch binding terminal on the body is rectangular.

[0022] According to one aspect of the present invention, the flexible circuit board further includes an insulating protective layer that covers the test terminal arrangement and is detachably connected to the body portion or the substrate.

[0023] According to one aspect of the present invention, the peel strength of the insulating protective layer ranges from 0.5 N / cm to 1.2 N / cm.

[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, the film thickness of the insulating protective layer is less than or equal to 5 μm.

[0025] According to one aspect of the present invention, at least one of the flexible circuit board and the display panel is further provided with redundant terminals, the redundant terminals are provided one-to-one with the test terminals, and the redundant terminals are connected to the test terminals and the second trace.

[0026] According to one aspect of the present invention, the shape of the redundant terminal is the same as the shape of the test terminal.

[0027] In another aspect, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a display device is provided, including the display module described above.

[0028] In another aspect, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a touch fault detection method is provided for the above-mentioned display module, the detection method comprising:

[0029] The system sends a first scan signal to the touch electrode via the control line, the second touch bonding terminal, the first touch bonding terminal, and the second line, and receives the first signal change information after the display module is touched.

[0030] Determine whether the display module has a touch malfunction based on the first signal change information;

[0031] If a touch failure is found, a second scan signal is sent to the touch electrode via the test terminal and the second trace, and the second signal change information after the display module is touched is received;

[0032] The second signal change information determines whether there is a touch failure in the display module. If the touch failure still exists, the area where the touch failure occurs is determined to be located on the display panel.

[0033] According to embodiments of the present invention, the display module, display device, and touch fault detection method include a display panel and a flexible circuit board. The driving circuit layer of the display panel can control the light-emitting elements of the light-emitting layer to emit light on demand, meeting display requirements. A correspondingly provided touch layer enables the display module to integrate touch functionality. The flexible circuit board and the display panel are bonded and connected via a first touch bonding terminal and a second touch bonding terminal, and are also connected via a first display bonding terminal and a second display bonding terminal. This facilitates the transmission of display control signals, touch control signals, etc., to the corresponding driving circuits, touch electrodes, etc., via first traces and second traces, ensuring control requirements for the display module are met. The corresponding test terminals are connected to one of the second traces. Each test terminal has a test connection surface, the area of ​​which is smaller than the area of ​​the first touch bonding terminal and the second touch bonding terminal in contact. This allows the detection module to send signals to the touch electrode and perform touch fault detection via the control trace, the second touch bonding terminal, the first touch bonding terminal, and the second trace during fault detection. Alternatively, it can send signals to the touch electrode via the test terminals and the second trace to perform touch fault detection. This helps to pinpoint whether the touch fault is originating from the display panel or the flexible circuit board, reducing the time and difficulty of fault analysis for the display module, and without occupying excessive space, thus ensuring the routing requirements of other circuits in the display module. Attached Figure Description

[0034] The features, advantages and technical effects of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a top view of a display module in an unbound state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 This is a side view schematic diagram of a display module in a bound state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 3 This is a top view of a display module in a bound state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a partial enlarged view of a display module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 5 This is a top view of a display module in an unbound state according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 6 This is a partial enlarged view of a display module according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 7This is a partial enlarged view of the display module according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a touch fault detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Marker explanation:

[0044] 10. Display panel;

[0045] 11. Substrate;

[0046] 12. Driver circuit layer; 121. First trace;

[0047] 13. Emissive layer;

[0048] 14. Touch layer; 141. Second trace;

[0049] 15. First display binding terminal;

[0050] 16. First touch-binding terminal;

[0051] 20. Flexible circuit board;

[0052] 21. Main body; 22. Second display bonding terminal; 23. Second touch bonding terminal; 24. Control wiring;

[0053] 30. Test terminal; 31. Test connection surface;

[0054] 40. Insulating protective layer;

[0055] 50. Redundant terminals; 60. Control chip;

[0056] X, thickness direction; Y, first direction; Z, second direction;

[0057] AA, display area; NA, non-display area; aa, first binding area; bb, second binding area.

[0058] In the accompanying drawings, the same parts use the same reference numerals. The drawings are not drawn to scale. Detailed Implementation

[0059] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of this application will now be described in detail. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only configured to explain this application and are not configured to limit this application. For those skilled in the art, this application can be implemented without some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is merely to provide a better understanding of this application by illustrating examples of this application.

[0060] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element.

[0061] It should be understood that when describing the structure of a component, when referring to a layer or region as being "above" or "on top of" another layer or region, it can mean that it is directly above the other layer or region, or that it contains other layers or regions between it and the other layer or region. Furthermore, if the component is flipped over, that layer or region will be located "below" or "under" the other layer or region.

[0062] In the field of display module technology, with the continuous development of display technology, display modules with integrated touch functions are widely used in various electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and smart wearable devices. The stability and reliability of touch functions are crucial to user experience; therefore, rigorous image quality and functional testing are required at each stage of the display module screen's production.

[0063] Touch functionality testing is an indispensable and crucial part of the entire testing system. It is typically conducted after the finished product is completed and is also an important aspect of reliability testing. Through touch functionality testing, the product's touch responsiveness during actual use can be effectively verified, ensuring that users can perform touch operations smoothly.

[0064] However, current touch testing technologies have significant limitations, generally only allowing testing after module assembly, which hinders the identification of faulty areas. Further research reveals that because control chips are typically mounted on flexible circuit boards, it's difficult to accurately determine whether a touch anomaly occurs in the screen or the flexible circuit board segment using existing test data. This uncertainty greatly complicates troubleshooting and quality control during production, increasing testing difficulty and cost, and potentially leading to indiscriminate product repair or replacement, ultimately impacting production efficiency and product quality.

[0065] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a brand-new touch function testing technology solution that can more accurately distinguish the abnormal touch locations in the finished product stage, effectively solve the shortcomings of existing technologies, improve testing efficiency and accuracy, and promote the high-quality development of the display module industry.

[0066] To address the aforementioned technical problems, one embodiment of this application provides a display module, a display device, and a touch fault detection method, which helps to pinpoint whether the touch fault originates from the display panel or the flexible circuit board, thereby reducing the time and difficulty of fault analysis for the display module.

[0067] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, an embodiment of this application provides a display module including a display panel 10 and a flexible circuit board 20. The display panel 10 has a display area AA and a non-display area NA. The display panel 10 includes a substrate 11 and a driving circuit layer 12, a light-emitting layer 13, and a touch layer 14 distributed along the thickness direction X of the substrate 11. The driving circuit layer 12 includes a driving circuit and a first trace 121 connected to the driving circuit. The touch layer 14 includes a touch electrode and a second trace 141 connected to the touch electrode. The substrate 11 has a first bonding area aa and a second bonding area bb in the non-display area NA. A plurality of first display bonding terminals 15 are disposed in the first bonding area aa, and a plurality of first touch bonding terminals 16 are disposed in the second bonding area bb. The first display bonding terminals 15 are connected to the first trace 121, and the first touch bonding terminals 16 are connected to the second trace 141. The flexible circuit board 20 includes a body portion 21 and a plurality of second display bonding terminals 22, a plurality of second touch bonding terminals 23, and control lines 24 disposed on the body portion 21. Each second display bonding terminal 22 is bonded to one of the first display bonding terminals 15, and each second touch bonding terminal 23 is bonded to one of the first touch bonding terminals 16. The second touch bonding terminals 23 are connected to the control chip 60 through the control lines 24. At least one of the flexible circuit board 20 and the display panel 10 is also provided with a plurality of test terminals 30. Each test terminal 30 is connected to one of the second lines 141, and each test terminal 30 has a test connection surface 31, the area of ​​which is smaller than the area of ​​the bonding contact between the first touch bonding terminal 16 and the second touch bonding terminal 23.

[0068] The driving circuit layer 12 can include multiple driving circuits, which can adopt various circuit structures such as 2T1C, 7T2C, 7T1C, and 9T1C. The 2T1C circuit structure can include two thin-film field-effect transistors and one capacitor. One transistor is responsible for the input of the control signal, and the other is used to control the driving of the light-emitting element. The capacitor is used to store the signal voltage and maintain the display of the light-emitting element. Structures such as 7T2C, 7T1C, and 9T1C are extensions and optimizations based on 2T1C, and will not be described in detail here.

[0069] The light-emitting device layer may include multiple light-emitting elements. Each driving circuit may be electrically connected to at least one light-emitting element to control the brightness, on / off state, and grayscale of each light-emitting element.

[0070] The first trace 121 and the drive circuit can be configured one-to-one or one-to-many.

[0071] The touch layer 14 is the key area for touch sensing. The touch electrodes are responsible for sensing signal changes generated by external touch actions, and the second trace 141 can lead out these signals. The second trace 141 is bonded to the flexible circuit board 20 through the first touch bonding terminal 16 to form a reliable electrical connection. In this way, the signals sensed by the touch electrodes can be transmitted to the flexible circuit board 20 through the second trace 141. The control trace 24 on the flexible circuit board 20 further transmits the signals to the control chip 60 connected to it. The control chip 60, as the control core of the entire touch system, works in conjunction with the flexible circuit board 20 through the control trace 24 on the flexible circuit board 20.

[0072] When a user touches the display panel 10, the touch action changes the electric field or other physical properties around the touch electrodes. For example, in capacitive touch, a finger touch changes the capacitance value of the touch electrodes. These changes are sensed by the touch electrodes and converted into electrical signals, which are transmitted to the control chip 60 along the aforementioned signal transmission path. The control chip 60 analyzes and processes the received signals according to its internal preset algorithms and programs, identifies the touch location, force (if pressure sensing is supported), gesture, and other information, and then generates corresponding control commands based on these analysis results to implement operation responses such as clicking, swiping, and zooming, thereby controlling the display content of the display panel 10 or performing other related functions.

[0073] The control chip 60 can periodically send detection signals to the touch electrodes, the form of which depends on the type of touch technology. In capacitive touch, this is typically a high-frequency AC signal. These signals are sent to each touch electrode, creating a stable electric field around them. When an object (such as a finger) touches the display panel 10, the electric field of the touch electrodes near the touch point is disturbed. In capacitive touch, the touch causes a change in the electrode capacitance, which in turn changes the amplitude, phase, or frequency of the detection signal. These changed signals are fed back to the flexible circuit board 20 along the second trace 141, through the first touch bonding terminal 16 and the second touch bonding terminal 23, and finally transmitted back to the control chip 60.

[0074] After receiving the feedback signal, the control chip 60 and other devices perform a series of processing steps, including amplification, filtering, and analog-to-digital conversion, to convert the analog signal into a digital signal for analysis. By comparing this signal with pre-stored normal signal characteristics (signals without touch), the system calculates parameters such as the coordinates of the touch point and the touch pressure (if supported) using a built-in algorithm. If the calculated parameters are within the normal range and the touch action can be accurately identified, it is considered a normal touch. If the signal changes abnormally, the touch parameters cannot be accurately calculated, or the calculation results exceed a reasonable range, a touch malfunction is suspected, such as no touch response or touch position misalignment.

[0075] The first binding area aa includes multiple first display binding terminals 15, which can be arranged side by side along the same direction. The first binding area aa may have a second binding area bb on one side of the first direction Y, or the second binding area bb may be provided on both sides of the first direction Y.

[0076] Test terminals 30 can be set on the flexible circuit board 20, or on the display panel 10. Of course, test terminals 30 can also be set on both the display panel 10 and the flexible circuit board 20.

[0077] Test terminal 30 can be directly connected to the second trace 141, or it can be indirectly connected through other transition structures.

[0078] When the test terminal 30 is disposed on the display panel, the test connection surface 31 can be the surface of the test terminal 30 that faces away from the substrate 11 in the thickness direction X of the substrate 11. When the test terminal 30 is disposed on the flexible circuit board 20, the test connection surface 31 of the test terminal 30 can be the surface of the test terminal 30 that faces away from the body portion 21 in the thickness direction of the body portion 21.

[0079] The number of test terminals 30 can be multiple. Test terminals 30 can be arranged side by side or in sections. The number of test terminals 30 can be the same as the number of second traces 141 and set one-to-one.

[0080] An embodiment of the present invention provides a display module. The driving circuit layer 12 of its display panel 10 can control the light-emitting elements of the light-emitting layer 13 to emit light on demand, meeting display requirements. A correspondingly provided touch layer enables the display module to integrate touch functionality. The flexible circuit board 20 is bonded to the display panel 10 via a first touch bonding terminal 16 and a second touch bonding terminal 23, and is also connected via a first display bonding terminal 15 and a second display bonding terminal 22. This facilitates the transmission of display control signals, touch control signals, etc., to the corresponding driving circuits, touch electrodes, etc., via a first trace 121 and a second trace 141, respectively, ensuring control requirements for the display module are met.

[0081] The corresponding test terminals 30 are connected to one of the second traces 141. Each test terminal 30 has a test connection surface 31, the area of ​​which is smaller than the area of ​​the first touch-binding terminal 16 and the second touch-binding terminal 23. This allows the detection module to send signals to the touch electrode and perform touch fault detection via the control trace 24, the second touch-binding terminal 23, the first touch-binding terminal 16, and the second trace 141 during fault detection. Alternatively, it can send signals to the touch electrode via the test terminals 30 and the second trace 141 to perform touch fault detection. For example, it can send a first scan signal to the touch electrode via the control trace 24, the second touch-binding terminal 23, the first touch-binding terminal 16, and the second trace 141, and receive first signal change information after the display module is touched. The presence of a touch fault in the display module is determined based on the first signal change information. If a touch malfunction is detected, a second scan signal is sent to the touch electrode via test terminal 30 and second trace 141, and second signal change information after the display module is touched is received. Based on the second signal change information, it is determined whether a touch malfunction exists in the display module. If the touch malfunction persists, the fault location is determined to be on the display panel 10. This helps to pinpoint whether the touch malfunction originates on the display panel 10 or the flexible circuit board 20, reducing the time and difficulty of display module defect analysis, and without occupying excessive space, ensuring the routing requirements of other circuits in the display module.

[0082] In some optional embodiments, a display module provided in one embodiment of this application has a plurality of first display bonding terminals 15 spaced apart and arranged side by side along a first direction Y, and a second bonding area bb is provided on both sides of the first bonding area aa in the first direction Y. Each second bonding area bb is provided with a plurality of first touch bonding terminals 16, and a test terminal 30 is provided for each first touch bonding terminal 16.

[0083] The first direction Y can be the width direction of the display panel 10.

[0084] The multiple first display bonding terminals 15 may have the same structural shape. The multiple first display bonding terminals 15 may be aligned in the first direction Y. Optionally, the spacing between any two adjacent first display bonding terminals 15 in the first direction Y may be equal.

[0085] The number of first touch binding terminals 16 included in the first binding area aa and the second binding area bb set on both sides of the first direction Y can be the same and symmetrically distributed.

[0086] One embodiment of the display module provided in this application, through the above-described configuration, helps to reduce signal interference. The transmission paths of touch and display signals are relatively independent, and their distribution on both sides of the first direction Y reduces electromagnetic interference between them, improves the stability and accuracy of signal transmission, and ensures the normal operation of display and touch functions. Furthermore, this configuration helps to better design the line impedance, enabling better impedance matching during signal transmission, reducing signal reflection and attenuation, and improving signal quality.

[0087] Meanwhile, in terms of manufacturing, the above-mentioned arrangement makes good use of the space on both sides of the display module, achieving a good layout of display and touch functions within the limited panel space, while providing more flexibility for the layout of other components, which is conducive to the miniaturization and thinning of the display module.

[0088] In some alternative embodiments, in one embodiment of the present application, the test terminal 30 of the display module is disposed on the same layer as either the first touch binding terminal 16 or the second touch binding terminal 23.

[0089] When the test terminal 30 is set on the display panel 10, the test terminal 30 can be set on the same layer as the first touch binding terminal 16. When the test terminal 30 is set on the flexible circuit board 20, the test terminal 30 can be set on the same layer as the second touch binding terminal 23.

[0090] One embodiment of this application provides a display panel 10, which, through the above-described configuration, has test terminals 30 and first touch bonding terminals 16 or second touch bonding terminals 23 disposed on the same layer of the display panel 10 or flexible circuit board 20, eliminating the need for additional multi-layer wiring processes. This reduces complex steps such as alignment and lamination between different layers during manufacturing, lowers process difficulty and scrap rate, thereby significantly reducing production costs. Furthermore, the same-layer configuration results in a shorter and more direct signal transmission path, reducing interference, attenuation, and signal delay that may occur when signals are transmitted between different layers. This advantage is particularly pronounced in high-frequency signal transmission, ensuring accurate transmission of touch signals and test signals and improving the overall performance of the display module.

[0091] The layout of the light-emitting elements and touch electrodes in the display area is not specifically limited. They can all be arranged in a pin distribution or other forms, as long as the wiring requirements of the first trace 121 and the second trace 141 can be guaranteed.

[0092] In some optional embodiments, one embodiment of the present application provides a display module in which a plurality of test terminals 30 are provided on the display panel 10. The plurality of test terminals 30 are arranged side by side in the first direction Y. A plurality of first touch binding terminals 16 and first display binding terminals 15 are arranged side by side in the first direction Y. The test terminals 30 are arranged one-to-one with the first touch binding terminals 16 in the second direction Z. Each first touch binding terminal 16 is connected to a second trace 141 through the test terminals 30 arranged opposite to each other. The first direction Y and the second direction Z are intersecting.

[0093] The first direction Y can be the width direction of the display panel 10, and the second direction Z can be the length direction of the display panel 10.

[0094] The test terminal 30 can be set between the corresponding second trace 141 and the first touch binding terminal 16.

[0095] Optionally, the test terminal 30 may be located at one end of the first touch binding terminal 16 facing the second trace 141 in the second direction Z.

[0096] The above settings ensure that testing requirements are met. Furthermore, this configuration places the test terminal 30 inside the first touch-binding terminal 16 facing the display area AA, preventing damage to the test terminal 30 during the cutting process after the display panel 10 is formed, thus guaranteeing testing functionality.

[0097] In some alternative embodiments, the display module provided in one embodiment of this application has a first direction Y perpendicular to a second direction Z.

[0098] In some alternative embodiments, in one embodiment of the present application, the display module has a test terminal 30 projected onto the substrate 11 with a smaller projected area than the first touch-binding terminal 16 projected onto the substrate 11.

[0099] Continue reading Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in some optional embodiments, in one embodiment of the present application, the display module has a distance of d1 between two adjacent test terminals 30 along the first direction Y, and a distance of d2 between two adjacent first touch binding terminals 16, where d1 = d2.

[0100] With the above settings, the arrangement of each test terminal 30 can be consistent with the arrangement of each first touch binding terminal 16, which can shorten the line path when connecting the test terminal 30 with the corresponding first touch binding terminal 16 and the second wiring 141.

[0101] In some alternative embodiments, in one embodiment of the present application, the width of the test terminal 30 along the first direction Y is equal to the width of the first touch binding terminal 16, and the length of the test terminal 30 along the second direction Z is less than the length of the first touch binding terminal 16.

[0102] The above settings help ensure that each test terminal 30 has a test connection surface 31, and the area of ​​the test connection surface 31 is smaller than the area of ​​the first touch binding terminal 16 and the second touch binding terminal 23 in bonding contact.

[0103] In some alternative embodiments, in one embodiment of this application, the width of the test terminal 30 along the first direction Y is equal to its length along the second direction Z in the display module.

[0104] With the above settings, the test terminal 30 and the corresponding first touch binding terminal 16 can be aligned or set to the same width in the first direction Y, which can ensure the wiring requirements, reduce the impact of the new test terminal 30 on the wiring of the display panel 10 in the first direction Y, and reduce the crosstalk between adjacent test terminals 30.

[0105] In some alternative embodiments, in one embodiment of the present application, the display module has a test terminal 30 projected onto the substrate 11 in a square shape along the thickness direction X of the test substrate 11, and the first touch binding terminal 16 projected onto the substrate 11 in a rectangular shape.

[0106] Optionally, the first direction Y, the second direction Z, and the thickness direction X of the substrate 11 are perpendicular to each other.

[0107] The above settings ensure that the test terminal 30 and the first touch binding terminal 16 have regular shapes and large contact surfaces, thus guaranteeing the test connection and binding requirements.

[0108] It is understandable that providing test terminals 30 on the display panel 10 is only an optional implementation.

[0109] like Figure 5As shown, in some optional embodiments, the display module provided in one embodiment of this application may also have test terminals 30 on the flexible circuit board 20. Multiple test terminals 30 are arranged side by side in the first direction Y, multiple second touch binding terminals 23 and second display binding terminals 22 are arranged side by side in the first direction Y, and the test terminals 30 are arranged one-to-one with the second touch binding terminals 23 in the second direction Z. Each second touch binding terminal 23 is connected to the control line 24 through the test terminals 30 arranged opposite to it. The first direction Y and the second direction Z are intersecting.

[0110] Optionally, the first direction Y can be the width direction of the body portion 21, or it can be understood as the width direction of the display panel 10. The second direction Z can be the length direction of the body portion 21, or it can be understood as the length direction of the display panel 10.

[0111] The test terminal 30 can be set on the side of the second touch binding terminal 23 opposite to the display area AA of the display panel 10 in the second direction Z.

[0112] The test terminal 30 can be set between the corresponding control line 24 and the second display binding terminal 22.

[0113] With the above configuration, the detection module can send signals to the touch electrodes and perform touch fault detection via control trace 24, second touch bonding terminal 23, first touch bonding terminal 16, and second trace 141 during fault detection, or via test terminal 30, second touch bonding terminal 23, first touch bonding terminal 16, and second trace 141. Since the latter does not require passing through control trace 24, it is easier to pinpoint whether the touch fault originates from the display panel 10 or the flexible circuit board 20, reducing the time and difficulty of display module failure analysis, and without occupying excessive space, thus ensuring the routing requirements of other lines in the display module.

[0114] Furthermore, the above setup does not require modification to the structure of the display panel 10 itself, that is, it does not require modification to the mask corresponding to the molded display panel 10, thus reducing the molding difficulty and cost.

[0115] In some alternative embodiments, in one embodiment of the present application, the display module has a test terminal 30 projected onto the body 21 with an area smaller than the second touch-binding terminal 23 projected onto the substrate 11.

[0116] In some optional embodiments, in one embodiment of the present application, the display module has a distance of d1 between two adjacent test terminals 30 along the first direction Y, and a distance of d3 between two adjacent second touch binding terminals 23, where d1 = d3.

[0117] The above settings enable the arrangement of each test terminal 30 to be consistent with the arrangement of each second touch binding terminal 23, thereby shortening the circuit path when connecting the test terminal 30 to the corresponding second touch binding terminal 23 and the second wiring 141.

[0118] In some alternative embodiments, in one embodiment of the present application, the width of the test terminal 30 along the first direction Y is equal to the width of the second touch binding terminal 23, and the length of the test terminal 30 along the second direction Z is less than the length of the second touch binding terminal 23.

[0119] The above settings help ensure that each test terminal 30 has a test connection surface 31, and the area of ​​the test connection surface 31 is smaller than the area of ​​the first touch binding terminal 16 and the second touch binding terminal 23 in bonding contact.

[0120] In some alternative embodiments, in one embodiment of this application, the width of the test terminal 30 along the first direction Y is equal to its length along the second direction Z in the display module.

[0121] In some optional embodiments, in one embodiment of the present application, the test terminal 30 is projected as a square on the body 21 and the second touch binding terminal 23 is projected as a rectangle on the body 21.

[0122] The above settings ensure that the test terminal 30 and the second touch binding terminal 23 have regular shapes and large contact surfaces, thus guaranteeing the test connection and binding requirements.

[0123] like Figure 6 As shown, in some optional embodiments, the display module provided in one embodiment of this application further includes an insulating protective layer 40 on the flexible circuit board 20, which covers the test terminal 30 and is detachably connected to the body portion 21.

[0124] The insulating protective layer 40 can be made of materials such as plastic film. The insulating protective layer 40 can be connected to the test terminal 30 by means of bonding or other methods.

[0125] By setting the insulating protective layer 40, the test terminal 30 can be protected when the display module is not under test, preventing it from being damaged by bumps and knocks. At the same time, it can also reduce the risk of short circuits with other lines.

[0126] In some optional embodiments, the peel strength of the insulating protective layer 40 in one embodiment of this application is any value between 0.5 N / cm and 1.2 N / cm, including the two extreme values ​​of 0.5 N / cm and 1.2 N / cm. It can further be selected as 0.7 N / cm to 1 N / cm.

[0127] The above settings ensure that the peel strength of the insulating protective layer 40 is moderate, preventing excessive peel strength from damaging the test terminal 30, while also preventing insufficient connection strength from causing premature peeling.

[0128] In some alternative embodiments, the display module provided in one embodiment of this application has an insulating protective layer 40 with a film thickness of less than or equal to 5 μm.

[0129] like Figure 7 As shown, in some optional embodiments, at least one of the display module, flexible circuit board 20 and display panel 10 provided in one embodiment of this application is further provided with redundant terminals 50. The redundant terminals 50 are configured one-to-one with the test terminals 30, and the redundant terminals 50 are connected to the test terminals 30 and the second trace 141.

[0130] By setting up redundant terminals 50, redundant testing can be performed when test terminals 30 fail, thus ensuring test requirements are met.

[0131] In some optional embodiments, the display module provided in one embodiment of this application has the same shape for the redundant terminal 50 as the test terminal 30. This arrangement facilitates molding, reduces molding difficulty, and allows for compatibility with test structures connected to the test terminal 30.

[0132] On the other hand, one embodiment of this application also provides a display device, including the display module provided in the above embodiments. The display device may include mobile phones, tablet computers, liquid crystal displays, televisions, smartwatches, etc.

[0133] like Figure 8 As shown, and see also Figures 1 to 7 As shown, in another aspect, one embodiment of this application also provides a touch fault detection method for the above-mentioned display module, the detection method comprising:

[0134] S100 sends a first scan signal to the touch electrode via control line 24, second touch bonding terminal 23, first touch bonding terminal 16 and second line 141, and receives first signal change information after the display module is touched.

[0135] S200: Determine whether there is a touch failure in the display module based on the first signal change information.

[0136] S300: If a touch failure occurs, a second scan signal is sent to the touch electrode via the test terminal 30 and the second trace 141, and the second signal change information after the display module is touched is received.

[0137] S400. Determine whether there is a touch fault in the display module based on the second signal change information. If there is still a touch fault, determine that the area where the touch fault occurs is located in the display panel 10.

[0138] In step S100, "a first scan signal is sent to the touch electrode via control line 24, second touch bonding terminal 23, first touch bonding terminal 16, and second line 141." Control line 24 connects the driver chip and related components of the display module, and is responsible for transmitting control signals. Second touch bonding terminal 23 and first touch bonding terminal 16 are key nodes for realizing electrical connections between different components, connecting lines to related components. The signal transmission link composed of the above-mentioned components and lines sends the first scan signal to the touch electrode. The first scan signal can be an electrical signal with a specific frequency, amplitude, and waveform, used to excite the touch electrode to respond to touch operations.

[0139] When a user touches the display module, the touch electrodes sense the touch action, causing changes in their electrical characteristics (such as capacitance and resistance), which in turn generate touch-related electrical signal changes. These changes are fed back along the opposite path of sending the first scan signal (second trace 141, first touch bonding terminal 16, second touch bonding terminal 23, control trace 24) and received by the detection circuit of the control chip 60.

[0140] In step S200, after receiving the first signal change information, it is compared with the pre-set normal touch response signal characteristics. The normal touch response signal characteristics are standard signal patterns obtained through extensive testing and data analysis under normal operating conditions of the display module, including the signal change range, change rate, and waveform characteristics. If the first signal change information matches the normal touch response signal characteristics, it indicates that the touch function of the display module is normal; if they do not match, a touch malfunction is determined. For example, if the first signal change information shows no signal change after touch or the change exceeds the normal range, a malfunction can be identified.

[0141] In step S300, after a touch fault is determined through step S200, a newly added test terminal 30 is used for more targeted testing to further accurately determine the fault location. The test terminal 30 is directly connected to the touch circuitry and is located before the control chip 60 and the control trace 24. At this time, a second scan signal is sent to the touch electrode through the test terminal 30 and the second trace 141 to further detect the status of the touch electrode and related circuitry.

[0142] After the second scan signal is sent, when the display module is touched again, the touch electrode will generate a new signal change. This change information will be fed back to the test terminal 30 through the second trace 141 and received by the detection circuit.

[0143] In step S400, the second signal change information is analyzed and compared with the characteristics of a normal touch response signal. If the second signal change information is normal, the fault may be in the control trace 24 or the subsequent chip and control circuit. If the second signal change information is still abnormal, i.e., it does not match the characteristics of a normal touch response signal, then it can be determined that the touch fault occurs in the display panel 10. Because the test terminal 30 is directly connected to the touch circuit and is before the chip and control circuit, the influence of subsequent circuits and chips on the signal is eliminated. Therefore, if a fault is still detected here, the fault is most likely in the display panel 10.

[0144] In implementation, test terminal 30 is located before the chip and control circuitry. A detection signal is sent through test terminal 30, and the signal reaches the touch electrode via the second trace 141. The signal fed back from the touch electrode is then detected to determine if a fault exists. The detection signal can be provided by an external driver chip or by other signal-generating modules already present in the display module, as long as they can generate an electrical signal that meets the touch detection requirements. For example, the power management chip in the display module can be used to provide the detection signal after appropriate signal processing, or a small signal generator can be specifically set up as an external driver chip to provide a precise detection signal.

[0145] The touch fault detection method of the present invention can more accurately determine whether there is a touch fault in the display module by sending scanning signals in two different ways and analyzing signal change information. It can also accurately determine the fault location, improve the efficiency and accuracy of fault detection, facilitate timely repair and improvement, and enhance the quality of the display module and user experience.

[0146] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various modifications can be made and components can be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any manner as long as there is no structural conflict. The invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A display module, characterized in that, include: A display panel has a display area and a non-display area. The display panel includes a substrate and a driving circuit layer, a light-emitting layer, and a touch layer distributed along the thickness direction of the substrate. The driving circuit layer includes a driving circuit and a first trace connected to the driving circuit. The touch layer includes a touch electrode and a second trace connected to the touch electrode. The substrate has a first bonding area and a second bonding area in the non-display area. The first bonding area has a plurality of first display bonding terminals, and the second bonding area has a plurality of first touch bonding terminals. The first display bonding terminals are connected to the first trace, and the first touch bonding terminals are connected to the second trace. A flexible circuit board includes a body portion and a plurality of second display bonding terminals, a plurality of second touch bonding terminals, and control traces disposed on the body portion. Each second display bonding terminal is bonded to one of the first display bonding terminals, and each second touch bonding terminal is bonded to one of the first touch bonding terminals. The second touch bonding terminals are connected to a control chip through the control traces. The flexible circuit board and the display panel are provided with a plurality of test terminals, each of the test terminals being connected to one of the second traces, and each of the test terminals having a test connection surface, the area of ​​which is smaller than the area of ​​the first touch binding terminal and the second touch binding terminal in contact.

2. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple first display bonding terminals are spaced apart and arranged side by side along a first direction. The first bonding area has a second bonding area on both sides of the first direction. Each second bonding area is provided with multiple first touch bonding terminals. The test terminal is provided for each first touch bonding terminal. Preferably, the test terminal is disposed on the same layer as the first touch binding terminal or the second touch binding terminal.

3. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display panel is provided with a plurality of test terminals, which are arranged side by side in a first direction. A plurality of first touch binding terminals and a first display binding terminal are arranged side by side in the first direction. The test terminals are arranged one-to-one with the first touch binding terminals in a second direction. Each first touch binding terminal is connected to the second trace through a test terminal arranged opposite to it. The first direction and the second direction are arranged to intersect. Preferably, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction; Preferably, the projected area of ​​the test terminal on the substrate is smaller than the projected area of ​​the first touch-binding terminal on the substrate.

4. The display module according to claim 3, characterized in that, Along the first direction, the distance between two adjacent test terminals is d1, and the distance between two adjacent first touch binding terminals is d2, where d1 = d2; Preferably, along the first direction, the width of the test terminal is equal to the width of the first touch-binding terminal, and along the second direction, the length of the test terminal is less than the length of the first touch-binding terminal; Preferably, the width of the test terminal along the first direction is equal to its length along the second direction; Preferably, the orthographic projection of the test terminal on the substrate is square, and the orthographic projection of the first touch-binding terminal on the substrate is rectangular.

5. The display module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible circuit board is provided with the test terminals, and a plurality of the test terminals are arranged side by side in a first direction. A plurality of second touch bonding terminals and a second display bonding terminal are arranged side by side in the first direction. The test terminals are arranged one-to-one with the second touch bonding terminals in the second direction. Each second touch bonding terminal is connected to the control line through the test terminals arranged opposite to each other. The first direction and the second direction are arranged to intersect. Preferably, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction; Preferably, the projected area of ​​the test terminal on the body is smaller than the projected area of ​​the second touch bonding terminal on the substrate.

6. The display module according to claim 5, characterized in that, Along the first direction, the distance between two adjacent test terminals is d1, and the distance between two adjacent second touch binding terminals is d3, where d1 = d3; Preferably, along the first direction, the width of the test terminal is equal to the width of the second touch-binding terminal, and along the second direction, the length of the test terminal is less than the length of the second touch-binding terminal; Preferably, the width of the test terminal along the first direction is equal to its length along the second direction; Preferably, the orthographic projection of the test terminal on the body is square, and the orthographic projection of the second touch-binding terminal on the body is rectangular.

7. The display module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The flexible circuit board also includes an insulating protective layer, which covers the test terminal arrangement and is detachably connected to the body or the substrate. Preferably, the peel strength of the insulating protective layer ranges from 0.5 N / cm to 1.2 N / cm; Preferably, the thickness of the insulating protective layer is less than or equal to 5 μm.

8. The display module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, At least one of the flexible circuit board and the display panel is further provided with a redundant terminal, the redundant terminal is provided one-to-one with the test terminal, and the redundant terminal is connected to the test terminal and the second trace; Preferably, the shape of the redundant terminal is the same as the shape of the test terminal.

9. A display device, characterized in that, Includes the display module as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A touch fault detection method, used to detect a display module as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The detection method includes: The system sends a first scanning signal to the touch electrode via the control line, the second touch bonding terminal, the first touch bonding terminal, and the second line, and receives first signal change information after the display module is touched. Determine whether the display module has a touch malfunction based on the first signal change information; If a touch failure is found, a second scanning signal is sent to the touch electrode via the test terminal and the second trace, and the second signal change information after the display module is touched is received; Based on the second signal change information, it is determined whether the display module has a touch failure. If the touch failure still exists, it is determined that the area of ​​the touch failure is located in the display panel.

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